May 5, 2009

Delaire Graff Estate re-opens

Laurence Graff, Chairman of Graff Diamonds International Ltd, re-opens Delaire Graff Estate in June 2009 after a complete rebuild. Delaire, one of South Africa’s finest vineyards, was acquired by Graff in 2003 who vowed to make it one of South Africa’s ultra-premier wineries and prominent restaurant and hotel destinations. Delaire’s unique location on the crest of the panoramic Helshoogte Mountain Pass is noted for its high altitude vineyards, excellent soils and cooling sea breezes.

The contemporary architecture has been designed to combine a 230 ton wine cellar, a unique restaurant and artworks representing some of SA’s finest contemporary artists. The grounds have been designed and re-landscaped by Keith Kirsten and native plants and trees have been used to ensure that, ecologically, the land surrounding the vineyards is spectacular and will form a beautiful backdrop to the winery itself. Some of South Africa’s leading sculptors have been commissioned to create works for the exterior which will be a significant part of the Delaire experience.

General Manager, Johann Laubser, comments “our Executive Chef, Christiaan Campbell, is creating exceptional cuisine with fresh, vibrant menus. The Delaire restaurant will offer an exceptional dining experience.” The lunch menu is light and vibrant in form with many of the dishes being baked or roasted in wood fired ovens. The evening menu shows great delicacy and elegance in its presentation and tastes without departing from signature bold flavours. Guests are able to dine on the terrace under a canopy of pin oak trees or within the spectacular interiors whilst enjoying the breathtaking views Delaire allows of the Stellenbosch valley and mountains.

Delaire Wines blended by Chris Kelly, who has twice been a finalist in the Diners Club South African Winemakers Awards, perfectly match Delaire’s ‘sunshine cuisine’. Delaire wines are available from the estate, are listed in several important wine manuals and distributed worldwide so can also be enjoyed at home. The Delaire Hotel and Spa will open in 2010 and offer, along with luxurious treatments, the unique experience of sleeping amongst the vines.

For further details please contact: Tanja von Arnim on 021 8858160 or tanja.vonarnim@delaire.co.za

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Mother's Day - 10th May

Résidence Klein Oliphants Hoek invite you to join them on Mother’s Day for a special menu to celebrate the most important day of the year; a three course meal for just R250 per person, excluding drinks.

After a welcome aperitif, enjoy a starter of caramelised onion and brie quiche served on a bed of mixed salad. Main will be a choice of either roast platter of pork, leg of lamb and sirloin served with potatoes, sweet potatoes and butternut wedges or a delicious seafood platter with prawn, kingklip and salmon trout served with leek and new potatoes. Dessert is pannacotta with chocolate or berry compote.

For more details contact Delphine on 021 876 2566.

For more Franschhoek news, visit The Month Online.

Beauty Day

Dennehof Health & Beauty hosts an informative talk on the latest developments in Anti-Ageing Technology at the Eikehof Farm on 16 May at 10:30. Refreshments will be provided.

RSVP before 9 May to Marianka 087 671 8918. A 40% discount applies to treatments booked on the day.

For more Franschhoek news, visit The Month Online.

News from The Youth House

The Youth House Library is up and running and is managed by youth worker, Msindisi Kwini, who welcomes all youth organisations to make use of its resources. Further, he invites youngsters to come and take part in the planned activities.

Jerome Julies, one of Franschhoek’s Youth Ambassadors, will run Hip Hop sessions every Monday through Thursday from 16h00 - 18h00 at the Mooiwater House.

All interested young people are invited to attend .The first session took place on Monday 6th April, where Bradley Leibrandt, a ten year old break dancer from Protea Street, won a cd after he was chosen the best dancer.

Portia Bokwe started with drama classes at the old Dalubuhle Primary. More than ten interested young actors attended this first workshop. Portia plans drama classes from Monday to Friday from 18h00 - 19h00.

All interested actors and actresses are invited to join the group in preparation of a production for Youth Day and the Bastille Festival.

Also, athlete Simon Sendzeko, would like budding runners to join in athletic activity. For more information on any of the above call Kwini at 083 856 1276

For more Franschhoek news, visit The Month Online.

Chanson a le vent

by Chris von Ulmenstein of Whale Cottage Franschhoek

What was meant to be an Easter weekend treat turned out to be a very windy affair at the new L’ermitage restaurant.

The restaurant has been very low key since its opening in December, and this appeared to have been its first big function.

Daniele Pascal, the French born but South African based chanson singer, entertained the audience with a mix of Brel and Piaf, with some local Afrikaans liedjies thrown into the pot as well.

The L’ermitage hotel has a beautiful setting at the edge of a dam on The Fransche Hoek Estate, and the full moon crept over the Franschhoek mountains during the evening, giving the setting a very romantic feel. The organisers had decided to host the function outside, on their terrace and lawn, not taking into account the south-easter which came up soon after the start of the evening.

The staff tried valiantly to appease everyone, and could not meet the request for blankets. The restaurant did not have enough tables inside to allow one to move inside. Pascal had to battle the wind in the first half – ironically she sang the beautiful Laurika Rauch hit “Kinders van die Wind”.

Miraculously the wind dropped before she came back on stage for the second half. Well into her sixties, Pascal openly talked about her recent hip replacement operation. When singing about love, one does not see her age, as her face and soul light up.

A set menu was offered at R 350 per head, which included a bottle of French wine – the 2007 Merlot was too light for the South African palate, which expects a more full-bodied wine. The starter was a choice of soups, but the waiters just assumed that all patrons were having the seafood soup, without taking the order upfront. No bread was served with the meal, even though side plates were laid on the very small tables for two. When asked for it, slices of white sandwich loaf were brought to the table. A remark about it to the manager quickly led to its replacement with some tasty whole-wheat bread. The main course was a small portion of chicken, and the dessert a small portion of chocolate brownie and mint cream. I could have sworn there was salt instead of sugar in the brownie. Coffee had to be paid for as an extra.

The service received from Emmi, Pearl and Santjie during the evening was outstanding, who must have heard nothing but complaints about the wind and the resultant cold.

L’ermitage plans to host live entertainment once a month, and will even introduce classical concerts in its conference centre. The organisers have promised that future events will be held indoors.

For more Franschhoek news, visit The Month Online.

Grande Provence “Big 5”

The Grande Provence “Big 5” Luncheon for Multiple Sclerosis - just got even better! The annual ‘Big 5’ luncheon held in aid of The Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Africa (MSSA), now in its third successful year, will take place at the 5-star Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate in Franschhoek on Sunday the 24th of May.

Tickets can be purchased from the Estate, starting at R750 per person. The non-profit organization MSSA benefited by R36,440 in 2007 (the first year of the initiative), and again in 2008 by a staggering R60,250. These great results have been possible as the entire ticket price of ‘The Big 5’ luncheon (with no deductions) are passed on directly to the charity on each occasion.

The “Big 5” 2009 event features five leading South African Chefs led by Executive Chef Jacques De Jager from The Restaurant at Grande Provence, Bertus Basson from Overture, David Higgs, Chef and partner of Rust en Vrede, Peter Tempelhoff, Group Executive Chef of The Collection and Chris Erasmus, Executive Chef of Ginja and Myoga. This team of South Africa’s most celebrated chefs will present a fabulous five-course gourmet meal, complemented by award-winning Grande Provence wines.

Talented performers including James Stewart, Zanne Stapelberg, James Grace, Marimba Vibrations and singer/songwriter Beshara have kindly donated their time and talent to entertain guests on the day. Other generous sponsors supporting the day to date are ‘To- Nett’s Decor’ who have sponsored tables, chairs and linen, Franschhoek Flowers for the table decorations and Natasha Sunkel photography.

During the “Big 5” luncheon, five spectacular items will be auctioned by Master of Ceremonies Ryan O’ Connor, of 94.5 KFM fame, who is also the Patron of M.S in South Africa. For reservations please call Mandy Smith at Grande Provence Wine Estate on 021 876 8600 or e-mail reservations@grandeprovence.co.za

For more Franschhoek news, visit The Month Online.

Grande Provence “Big 5”

The Grande Provence “Big 5” Luncheon for Multiple Sclerosis - just got even better! The annual ‘Big 5’ luncheon held in aid of The Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Africa (MSSA), now in its third successful year, will take place at the 5-star Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate in Franschhoek on Sunday the 24th of May.

Tickets can be purchased from the Estate, starting at R750 per person. The non-profit organization MSSA benefited by R36,440 in 2007 (the first year of the initiative), and again in 2008 by a staggering R60,250. These great results have been possible as the entire ticket price of ‘The Big 5’ luncheon (with no deductions) are passed on directly to the charity on each occasion.

The “Big 5” 2009 event features five leading South African Chefs led by Executive Chef Jacques De Jager from The Restaurant at Grande Provence, Bertus Basson from Overture, David Higgs, Chef and partner of Rust en Vrede, Peter Tempelhoff, Group Executive Chef of The Collection and Chris Erasmus, Executive Chef of Ginja and Myoga. This team of South Africa’s most celebrated chefs will present a fabulous five-course gourmet meal, complemented by award-winning Grande Provence wines.

Talented performers including James Stewart, Zanne Stapelberg, James Grace, Marimba Vibrations and singer/songwriter Beshara have kindly donated their time and talent to entertain guests on the day. Other generous sponsors supporting the day to date are ‘To- Nett’s Decor’ who have sponsored tables, chairs and linen, Franschhoek Flowers for the table decorations and Natasha Sunkel photography.

During the “Big 5” luncheon, five spectacular items will be auctioned by Master of Ceremonies Ryan O’ Connor, of 94.5 KFM fame, who is also the Patron of M.S in South Africa. For reservations please call Mandy Smith at Grande Provence Wine Estate on 021 876 8600 or e-mail reservations@grandeprovence.co.za

For more Franschhoek news, visit The Month Online.